Customer Reviews

God's Generals: Why They Succeeded and Why Some Failed

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was not expecting what happened to me when I read this book. I will never be the same. In reading the real life accounts of men and women of God who yielded themselves FULLY to Him, I became hungry for the same work in my own life. The times of miracles and signs and wonders is not over but the time when people would lay aside their carnal desires and go after God until they find Him has diminished. I wish every person in the body of Christ would read this book and begin to live it. Not only would the sick be healed but the lost would leave the bars for the glorious presence of God. Since reading it, God has allowed me to pray for people with cancer, tumors and even blindness and see them healed. It has only made me want more and I can't stop until I get all of Him I can get this side of heaven. Read this book, go after His presence and change your corner of the world like the Generals who went before you!

(I've already reviewed this on October 16,1999, but since then I've changed my email address) First off, I'd like to say that Pastor Roberts Liardon is a man of God. With these men and women that God has called him to write about, he explains their lives, and helps us to look at ourselves more in deph with the spirit realm. Are we walking according to God's standards? Are we operating in the great gifts of the Holy Spirit? Are we showing compassion and love and taking care of our bodies which are the temples of the Holy Ghost? These questions may arrouse you when you read this book, or watch the video series. I encourage any baptized believer in Christ who wants to grow spiritually to read this book! It will help change you life!

Roberts Liardon shares the stories of 12 men and women who God used to make some of the biggest spiritual impacts on America in the last 100 years. He shows when and why they succeeded and when and why some failed. These lessons will encourage you to look past your own abilities and look past your own failures. It will put your focus back on God and remind you He can use anyone who is yielded to Him, remind you that He will not allow man to usurp His authority and glory.

I have always been greatly impacted by the words and works of Roberts Liardon and this book is no exception. I've actually heard him preach on this series before, but reading it straight from the book is a definite different experience. He makes each unique individual come alive with fire and passion. This book will open the eyes of many to catch a glimpse of the awe-inspiring lives of men and women who once lived so very closely to the Most High God!

This book could have easily been called "Great Men and Women of Faith." These people were sold out to God. There was a fire in their heart that made them preach and they did not care what it cost. My favorite generals out of the book were John Lake, Smith Wiggleworth, and Maria Woodworth-Etter. But certainly all of them were generals and there is something to be learned from each one of them. Interestingly, they had their short comings; they weren't perfect. Some got away from their calling or gifts, some had broken marriages, and one appears to have had some problems with doctrinal issues. I guess that this is why we ultimately need to keep our eyes on Jesus and search the Scriptures ourselves. All were certainly pioneers of faith and were used mightly of God. They were often persecuted for what they believed. The book is thoroughly researched and well written.

Here they are. The 20th century legends of Christianity. One of them, Wigglesworth, has been the target of numerous writers. Why are we so fascinated with these people? Because they are heroes, every one. They had the courage to step out of the boat and walk on that H20. They were God's Generals!

Perfect people? No! They made mistakes. Some of them sank into the waters. But each and every one of them loved God and dared walk in the supernatural. Signs, miracles and wonders followed them wherever they went. They won multitudes to Christ, healed the masses and brought God's good news of deliverance to their generations. They were flawed, some had serious problems. But they didn't let that stop them. They were serving a mighty God!

If you want to get inside the minds and hearts of some heroes, read this book. Mark it up, highlight the key principles. Heed the warnings. And follow in the footsteps of these faith giants. Their successes inspired me to produce the Super Heart Living film series. And their walks will inspire YOU to do great things.

Want to know their SECRETS? How they were able to heal the sick, raise the dead and persuade thousands to follow Jesus Christ? It's all in the pages of this one powerful book. Right there for your learning. Dive into each chapter and listen to these great men and women whisper "Follow me as I follow Christ!"

You'll love Dowie's boldness in the heat of opposition. Wigglesworth's daring in the face of dreaded diseases. And McPherson's great love of the crowds and desire to entertain them with God's Word! God's Generals is moving, insightful and life-changing. I dare you to study these lives and develop their SUPER HEARTS!

Without a doubt, this is perhaps one of the most unusual collection of biographies on various Christians I have ever read, and probably should be on your bookshelf. It sometimes tends to be more of a commentary than a collection of biographies, but, not overly so. Maybe a better word than "commentary" is a sermon, because Liardon tends to warn would-be ministers of potential snares through the individuals he writes about. A word of warning though, I have to say to be careful, as it seems that Liardon, and some of the preachers he seems to think highly of had some probably serious errors in their preaching...errors that Liardon does not address because he tends to agree with them. One will see his blind spots in this book. These errors tend to manifest themselves in the "Word of Faith" movement, of which I have disagreements with (though I am very much a Pentecostal).

Also, I must say that I am a little curious as to why Liardon selected to write about the individuals he did. The introductory pages are very short, and give no hints. However, if one closely examines this work, you will begin to notice each of the individuals in this book had some sort of significant influence on an individual later in the book (as the book does cover the lives of various preachers of roughly 75-100 years). Also, some individuals written about seemed to run in some of the same circles. Most of the individuals in this book are the healing-evangelist-revivalist type...though not all.

In general, a book worth having.

This has been a truly awe insiring book to read. To see that God moves today as He did in the first century is so wonderful. It gives me strenght and courage to seek, with a renewed fire, the One who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. This book also shows that God is no respecter of persons when it comes to those He calls to work through. The author is very good at keeping an open mind about all the different things he researched.
Making clear that he was not judging anyone, he did stop a few times to interject Biblical truths so that we may understand why certain things happened as they did. In doing this I believe the author is showing the readers what patterns to be watchful for and what pitfalls to avoid while walking in their own calling.
It is also shown throughout the book that, no matter what your upbringing was or what your background is, God can use anyone who is willing to accapt their calling. It is also evident that if one who is willing to accept their call wants to finish the race strong it is their responsibility to maintain a balance in the spiritual, emotional, and physical being.

Since I am very intersted in the divine healing movement this book is a real treasure. I recommend every believer to read and discover this great book.

Thanks Robert L. for this terrific work. May the Lord bless you for it. For it has bless my much.

A balanced, thoughtful, entertaining and useful look at some of God's major powerplayers over the past 100 years or so. Concerning the likes of Kuhlman, Wigglesworth and Branham, most writers either choose to vilify them or worship them. Author Roberts Liardon chooses a more accurate middle road that exemplifies a love for the truth combined with his own helpful Pentecostal insights.

This is a VERY interesting read that Spirit-filled Christians particularly will find both fascinating and useful. Useful because there is much to be learned from the successes and failures of these saints -- much that can be applied to our own lives.